Thailand: What a different holiday

Thailand is a major tourist destination for luxurious resort holidays in places like Phuket, Krabbi, Ao nang, Pattaya, and Ko Samui. Just picture, the morning down by the beach or pool, a burger for lunch, and off to the spa in the afternoon, before going down to Patong for a lovely romantic dinner.

What a wonderful way to get out of say, the Melbourne winter.

This is the type of holiday most people connect with a Thai resort vacation. However this is not all that Thailand has to offer.

As you drive around Phuket or Ko Samui on a tuk tuk chances are that you may stop and visit a Thai wat (temple). Thai wats are really beautiful buildings with all the splendor of colour and shapely architecture. But a wat is not just a beautiful building, they perform important services to the people.

So what’s in a wat that could possibly be interesting and even life changing for you?

The Buddhist tradition is very practical about how one should live their life. It’s about giving people the wisdom to cope with their busy lives. And to cope with your life you must know how to look after your body, mind, and outlook to the world around you.

And to do all this you don’t have to become a monk.

Some of the most beautiful wats in the forests along the coast of South Central Thailand have thousands of foreign visitors from Europe, the US, and Australia staying over for retreats. For a small donation, you can join a 5 or 10 day retreat that will show you how to eat well, manage your mind through yoga and mediation, and explain to you how to face the world outside with a calm disposition. These retreats are so good according to many visitors that they turn this into an annual event.

This is a way of really getting back to nature. You can experience the simple charming life of Thailand in such an uncomplicated and inspiring way. For example, the international centre at Suan Moke (near Surat Thani) has more than 100 hectares of forest with its own private hot spring baths. All the food is home cooked organic Thai food. Between instruction, yoga, and meditation sessions you can wonder around these beautiful grounds. Another such wat exists on the island of Ko Samui and is continuously full of participants because there are only limited places available.

After such a time at one of these wats you will come out feeling much calmer, know how to eat well, and have a much better understanding about the philosophy of life. Some special times of the year, a wat will run a complete detox retreat where you learn under supervision how to clean the toxins from your body. Yet other wats like Wat Po in Bangkok offer short certificate courses in ancient Thai Massage, Yoga, and herbal medicine. Different wats have different things which you can easily check out through the internet.

Don’t worry, wats are extremely safe places in Thailand and the people there will make you feel at home. A stay at a wat is peaceful and is really an opportunity to give you a totally relaxing time away from the stresses of your life and pick up new personal management skills like meditation, yoga, eating the right food, detox, and a calming philosophy of life.

Granted staying at the wat is not 5 star. However your stay may be life changing and you will have the opportunity to see Thailand in a way that very few others have seen. I can promise you that your visit may be life changing and help you along the road to greater inner beauty and contentment, than you ever experienced before

Read More

Tourist attractions in Japan is very interesting to visit

Tourist attractions in Japan is very interesting to visit

Port of Kobe, Japan

Daisetsuzan, Hokkaido, Japan

Tea Fields, Japan

Todaiji Temple in Nara

Read More

HOLIDAYS IN THE SUMMER ON MARRAKECH MOROCCO

Holidays in the summer on Marrakech Morocco

Holidays in the summer on Marrakech Morocco | Vacation | Adventure | Holiday | Nature Tourism | Beach | Recreation | Backpacker |

Marrakech or Marrakesh, known as the “Red City”, is the most important former imperial city in Morocco’s history. The city of Marrakesh is the capital of the mid-southwestern economic region of Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz, near the foothills of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, being also the 2nd largest city in Morocco. Like many North African cities, the city of Marrakech comprises both an old fortified city (the médina) and an adjacent modern city (called Gueliz).

It is served by Ménara International Airport  and a rail link to Casablanca and the north.Marrakech has the largest traditional market (souk) in Morocco and also has one of the busiest squares in Africa and the world, Djemaa el Fna. The square bustles with acrobats, story-tellers, water sellers, dancers and musicians. By night food stalls open in the square turning it into a huge busy open-air restaurant.

Holidays in the summer on Marrakech Morocco – From the moment you arrive inMarrakesh, you will get a different feeling. beauty and uniqueness found in the city of Marrakesh to make your vacation more interesting. many tours that can be visited in Marrakesh. among Moroccan architecture, the Moroccan tradition of the Moorish garden. there are many more that you can find in Marrakesh. hopefully be an inspiration for you! happy summer vacation!

Holidays in the summer on Marrakech Morocco

Read More

tourism in moroco

Agadir Morocco's premier resort.

With its golden sandy beach sweeping for miles along the coast and lapped by the Atlantic, Agadir is the perfect holiday resort. An expanded and improved selection of luxury, first class hotels has taken place along the southern, previously undeveloped, shoreline. There is also a dazzling array of boutiques, international cuisine and excellent Moroccan restaurants which makes Agadir a very cosmopolitan place. Agadir's miraculous climate, providing a minimum of 300 days of sunshine a year, and its 10km-long beach, has all you need for great seaside holidays. Agadir is one of the World's most beautiful bays, it also has a marina which can receive several hundred pleasure boats. The coastal road allows you to stroll along more of the sea front, a popular place for a walk at any time of day, and offers a complete panorama of the whole bay.

Destroyed by the earthquake of 1960, the kasbah no longer has its crenellated ramparts; nevertheless, this elevated site has a complete view of the bay, the port and the new town - it is enchanting at sundown, when the light is flecked with gold. Slightly to the south of the city centreb the new medina was reconstructed from the 1990s onwards by Italian architect Coco Polizzi. Careful urban development, craftsmen and restaurants. It is an original and bold success, where the Moroccan soul still survives. The jewelry souk and the Moorish café are more than worth the detour.

In our opinion, Agadir has a modern feel; however, the traditional Moroccan atmosphere is not far away in the souk and in the surrounding villages where you can find a shopping bargain and a delicious home-cooked tagine for lunch.  We consider Agadir a great base for families wishing to enjoy the beach and the opportunity to explore Morocco's wonderful southern region. The Anti Atlas and High Atlas are close by as are Essaouira, Taroudant and Marrakech.

Read More

With Surf Like Turf, Huge Algae Bloom Befouls China Coast

Tourists playing Wednesday along the shore in Qingdao, which has been hit with a near-record bloom of green, stringy algae the Chinese call “sea lettuce.

BEIJING — In what has become an annual summer scourge, the coastal Chinese city of Qingdao has been hit by a near-record algae bloom that has left its popular beaches fouled with a green, stringy muck.

Multimedia

Green Algae Hits Chinese City

Enlarge This Image

Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

An algae-covered public beach in Qingdao, China, on Thursday.

Enlarge This Image

The New York Times

Qingdao’s algae is generally harmless to humans, but not marine life.

The State Oceanic Administration said an area larger than Connecticut had been affected by the mat of “sea lettuce,” as it is known in Chinese, which is generally harmless to humans but chokes off marine life and invariably chases away tourists as it begins to rot.

Some beachgoers appeared to be amused by the outbreak, at least according to the Chinese news media, which in recent days have featured images of swimmers lounging on bright green beds of algae, tossing it around with glee or piling it atop of one another as if it were sand.

Local officials, however, are less enthusiastic. Last month, they declared a “large-scale algae disaster,” sending hundreds of boats and bulldozers to clean up the waters off Qingdao, a former German concession in Shandong Province that is famous for its beer and beaches. As of Monday, about 19,800 tons of the algae had been cleared, the Qingdao government said. While valued for its nutrition — or as an ingredient in fertilizers and biomass energy production — algae in large quantities can prove dangerous as it decomposes, producing toxic hydrogen sulfide gas. It also smells like rotten eggs.

The green tide, spread over 7,500 square miles, is thought to be twice the size of an outbreak in 2008 that threatened sailing events during the Beijing Olympics, which took place near Qingdao. Officials deployed boats, helicopters and 10,000 workers to keep the waters clear for the competition.

The cleanup costs were later estimated at more than $30 million. Abalone, clam and sea cucumber farms suffered more than $100 million in damage, according to a 2011 study by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences. A 2009 outbreak was bigger.

Although biologists are at a loss to explain the most recent algae bloom, scientists suspect it is connected to pollution and increased seaweed farming in the province just south of Shandong. While similar green tides have been reported around the world, the annual bloom in the Yellow Sea is considered the largest, growing to an estimated million tons of biomass each year.

The green tides were first reported in Qingdao in 2007. A central factor is the high supply of nutrients from agricultural runoff and wastewater. But those pollutants have been in the Yellow Sea for decades, leading scientists to look for new triggers.

A group of researchers believe that the algae that washes up around Qingdao originates farther south in seaweed farms along the coast of Jiangsu Province. The farms grow porphyra, known as nori in Japanese cuisine, on large rafts in coastal waters. The rafts attract a kind of algae called Ulva prolifera, and when the farmers clean them off each spring they spread the algae out into the Yellow Sea, where it finds nutrients and warm conditions ideal for blooming.

“It feeds off those nutrients and grows bigger and bigger, and eventually you can see it from satellites,” said John Keesing, a scientist at the Csiro Division of Marine and Atmospheric Research in Australia who is studying the green tide with Chinese researchers. “The currents gently move the algae in a northeastern direction out into the center of the Yellow Sea. You get a huge amount, and eventually it starts to wash on shore.”

While farmers have long grown seaweed along the Jiangsu coast, the rafts expanded much farther offshore starting in 2006, which may have contributed to the recent blooms, according to an article published by Dr. Keesing and his colleagues. The answer to curtailing the blooms may lie in disposing of the algae that clogs the nori rafts on land.

“We haven’t suggested people stop growing porphyra, but proper husbandry methods to prevent much of the waste algae from going into sea, that’s probably the only preventive measure that could be deployed,” he said.

Read More

China Weekend Breaks Amazes You with Contrasts

You can call China a country of contrasts and you can well defend it. As your flight to china hits the tarmac you will open your eyes to a slew of contrasts; glittering cities in the heart of quaint countryside, and cutting age technology coexists with firm believe in tradition. If contrasts are something that entices you, China Weekend Breaks are godsend opportunities for you.

The country called China shows to the world that how a country can develop and prosper without denouncing its age old traditions. The country may have built a world class city like Shanghai but has also preserved the Great Wall of China. This most populous country in the world is hard to explore in few days. The tourists with short time on their disposal should concentrate over its major cities like Beijing and Shanghai.

Apart from its spanking new cities, the country allows you to come across important landmarks that are internationally acclaimed. Thing about the history and legends of the forbidden city or great awestruck at the great wall, steal some moments of luxury in Hainan island or visit the Buddhist Shrines of Tibet you will be spoilt for during your China sojourn.

Avail an air ticket to china from uk airports and get to know the country that seamlessly combines old with new.

Read More

Best places in China for Tourism

Best places in China for Tourism

What are the best place for travelling in China ?

Beijing

The Beijing TourBeijing the capital of the Republic of China, the country’s political, cultural and international exchange center, a vibrant modern metropolis. Beijing is China’s six ancient city Xi’an, Luoyang, Kaifeng, Nanjing, Hangzhou one. It served as the capital of the dynasty, such as gold (AD 1115 – AD 1234), (1279 -1368), Ming (1368 -1644), Qin (1644 AD – 1911 AD).
The most popular attractions in Beijing:
Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, the Great Wall, the Ming Tombs, Hutong, Lama Temple, Beihai Park, Beijing Capital Museum, Yaxiu market and more … Top Tourist Chinese

2. Travel in Shanghai

Shanghai TourAs, the largest city in China, Shanghai is located in the eastern part of China, facing the East China Sea. Shanghai is divided into two parts: Pudong (east of Huangpu River) and Puxi (Huangpu River west). Pudong New Development Zone. Shanghai has two airports – Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), Shanghai Hongqiao Airport. Shanghai Pudong International Airport to meet, while the Hongqiao international flights, domestic flights.

Famous attractions in Shanghai:
Shanghai Bund, Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Xintiandi, Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai Huangpu River and more … top

3. Travel in Xi’an

Xi’an TourXi’an, also known as Chang is the largest city in northwest China. It served as the nation’s capital of 13 dynasties such as Western Zhou Dynasty (11th century BC – 771 BC), Qin (221 – 206 BC), Western Han Dynasty (206 BC – 24 AD), Tang (618 – 907) more than in 1000. It is a famous historical significance.
Popular attractions in Xi’an:
Banpo Museum, Terracotta Army, Huaqing Hot Spring, Ancient City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Shaanxi History Museum, Xi’an Forest of Stone Tablets Museum and Grand Mosque, forest …

source

4. tourism in Guilin

The Lijiang , Guilin has gained fame in many domestic and foreign specialty scenery: green the mountians, unique rockeries, clear water, caves, stone shape. Many ethnic minorities who live here, including the Zhuang, Yao, Hui, Miao, Mu Lao, Mao Nan, Dong. They add multi-colored city’s cultural life.
Famous scenic spots in Guilin:
Lijiang River in Guilin, Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill, Seven Star Park, Fubo Hill, Solitary Beauty Peak Hill, Guilin Longji terraced fields, Longsheng, Guilin Lipu County affluent hole.

read more about Tourism http://marketingtochina.com/how-to-attract-chinese-tourists/

5. Yangtze River so nice

The Changjiang TourYangtze, River cruise should be on the list for those seeking a romantic escape and their families or friends traveling. Yangtze River winds its way through the mountains and the city from the west into the eastern part of the East China Sea near Shanghai, with a total length of more than 6300 kilometers, ranking third in the world, only than the Nile, the Amazon short.
Along the Yangtze River’s famous attractions:
Chongqing, Fengdu, Wanxian, Baoshizhai Shennong Streem, Small Three Gorges, the Three Gorges, the Three Gorges Dam in Yichang City, Wuhan City. Top

6. Travel to Lhasa, Tibet

The Tibet Lhasa Tour Tibet, is a place where the high plateau from around the world and the amazing Himalayas winding mountain lonely. In today’s information age, people can easily get with jet aircraft, highways, now even trains mysterious place! Lhasa, Tibet’s political and cultural capital. Lhasa in Tibet, “the land of God. There are many scenic spots and historical sites in Lhasa, Tibet.
Tibet’s famous attractions:
Potala Palace, Drepung, Sera and Ganden, Jokhang Temple most worth visiting Nobulingka. Shigatse is Tibet’s second largest city. Xigaze Prefecture of Tibet “real estate to implement the dream. Tashilhunpo Monastery is one of the main historical attractions. Hill. Mount Kailash in western Tibet, is sacred to Hinduism and Buddhism. Top

7. Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan

Jiuzhaigou in the northwest of Sichuan Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Nanping, Songpan, Ping Wu counties border area mountain depths Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan TourSituated, is a fairyland named after the nine village valley, this is the place to live nine Tibetan villages. About 50 km long valley. In 1992, it was listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage List.
Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan Popular attractions:
Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, Mount Qingcheng and Dujiangyan, Mount Emei, Leshan Giant Buddha, Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area, Huanglong.

source :

8. Lijiang, Yunnan

Located in southern China’s Yunnan Province, Lijiang, Yunnan

This is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. It has 1,300 years of history. Lijiang Naxi people live. It is under the administration of the Naxi Autonomous County.

It stands on a plateau 2,600 meters above sea level. It is well known, the natural scenery and green vegetation.

It Yulong Snow Mountain in the background. history.
Popular atractions in Lijiang, Yunnan:
The ancient city of Lijiang, Yulong Snow Mountain, Tiger Leaping Gorge.

The natural combination of natural beauty of the old town.

9. Hunan Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie, Hunan City is located in the west of Hunan Province mountians. Management of Zhangjiajie City, a district called Wulingyuan District, located in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Wulingyuan scenic area is divided into three parts: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzi Mountain.

Most of the tourists live in the center of Wulingyuan Scenic Spot. In December 1992, Wulingyuan was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Popular attractions in Zhangjiajie, Hunan:
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzi Mountain, Suoxiyu, nature reserve. Top

10. China’s Silk Road

Thousand years of history in China TourThe Silk Road Silk Road. In fact, it started from Chang’an (now Xi’an in Shaanxi Province) in the east and west extends to Italy. Famous sites along the Silk Road in China:

Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and the experience of the ancient Silk Road, and then extended to the Pamirs, and further extended to Central and West Asia. Finally, there is the silk road met the east bank of the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe.

Silk Road, the total length of more than in China.

Read More